Location:

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

Examine economic and social development in the cultural context of Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating and rapidly changing countries. After emerging from decades of war and isolation, Vietnam today is experiencing tremendous growth and, over the last decade, has boasted one of the strongest economies in Asia. Concurrent with this growth, the country has been wrestling with critical issues such as sustainable resource management, intense urbanization, changing family and marriage patterns, and integration with global networks and institutions. Students in the Vietnam: Culture, Social Change, and Development program examine these trends firsthand. Through interdisciplinary coursework, field study, and complementary educational excursions led by academic and community experts, students learn about Vietnam's history, social characteristics, and recent economic development trends. Intensive language study and a meaningful homestay further facilitate deep cultural immersion and cross cultural learning.

The Vietnam: Culture, Social Change, and Development program explores Vietnam's history and cultural heritage while closely examining the country's more recent economic, social, and environmental transformations. Drawing upon SIT's extensive in-country networks, students are exposed to the perspectives of both Vietnamese and international scholars and learn from academic, professional, and community experts. Students gain experience conducting field observations and interviews, and learn to analyze primary sources as well as secondary literature. During both classroom and field components, students are encouraged to take initiative in and responsibility for their own learning, reflect on and debate key issues, and integrate hands-on learning with an understanding of theoretical approaches. Study of the Vietnamese language provides a deeper connection with the culture and facilitates interaction with homestay families and local experts during field work.

Please inquire for costs: Fees include tuition, full room and board, all field trips and related fares, health and accident insurance, and other direct program expenses. Participants pay for international airfare and domestic travel to the point of departure from the USA.

Setting Description:

Students in the Vietnam: Culure, Social Change, and Development program examine Vietnam's traditional culture and value systems as well as the country's more recent economic, social, and environmental change. Through close engagement with an outstanding array of academic and community experts, students experience how global, regional, and local forces are dynamically interacting to shape Vietnam today. Ho Chi Minh City Students spend five weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, the program's base, while studying at the University of Economics, the program's in-country host institution. Students enjoy thought-provoking lectures and discussions on Vietnam's economic development and social transformation learning from esteemed lecturers and guest speakers including scholars from the Fulbright Program Center*. During this portion of the program, students examine Vietnam's recent membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO); its regional development through ASEAN and APEC; and the country's po

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

Please see our website for more information.